Informed Building Conservation
The Authority has specialist Historic Buildings Officers, who can advise whether a building or structure is listed, or within a Conservation Area. The Officers will seek proactively to respond to the needs of historic building owners and the properties in their care; where alterations are being considered, early informal advice from the Authority is encouraged. The Authority can also offer advice on the appropriate repair of historic buildings and structures and in some cases may be able to offer a grant towards repairs.
In responding to proposals to alter listed or other historic buildings, the Authority will want to make sure that change will not detrimentally alter their essential character and that the proposals are built upon an understanding of the history, development and significance and setting of an individual building. This is known as informed conservation.
A prerequisite for informed conservation is the researching and recording of the historical context for an historic building. Whilst the Authority is broadly speaking able to help with interpretation of Dartmoor historic buildings, some specialist consultants can provide a more detailed analysis and interpretation which can be invaluable for determining the significance of the building and its fabric, and its suitability for alteration, extension or repair.
The principle of informed conservation also applies to the management and repair of historic buildings. In particular, it is vitally important that appropriate materials and techniques are used and applied.
For more on informed conservation see the English Heritage web site Informed Conservation (external link, opens new window).
Page updated 1 December 2005
